Save electricity by replacing heat or steam system with ozone cold water wash. Ozone in Industrial Laundries is the next technology marvel
Because Ozone degrades rapidly after its functionality is complete, Ozone is generated on site and integrated with existing equipment in the laundry. Our Ozone generators produce Ozone by the corona discharge method which is by far the most effective and economically viable method. Because Ozone is so reactive, it immediately attaches itself to the soil in the fabrics, destroying them rapidly. Its powerful oxidizing action breaks down most organic soil into simple compounds such as carbon dioxide and water.
Because it is a gas in solution, Ozone penetrates and parts individual fabric fibres allowing for faster cleaning and bleaching of fabrics.
The basic chemistry of surfactants and their manufacture is well documented. In general cleaning surfactants contain a hydrophobic (water hating and usually contain hydrocarbon chains) end and a hydrophilic end (water loving). The hydrophilic end usually contains oxygen, and sometimes nitrogen, fluorine, or other electrophilic species. Mild oxidation of oily contaminates with oxygen containing compounds, and free radical reaction with oxygen containing free radicals produces surfactants containing hydrophilic functional groups such as alcohols, esters, carbonyl, and carboxylic acids attached to hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains.
Ozone reacts directly with organics by attacking unsaturated carbon to carbon double bonds. Some reaction products of ozonation include organic peroxides, hydrogen peroxide, and super oxide anion. These organic peroxides can react non-selectively with other saturated or unsaturated compounds in the recycled cleaner through a free radical reaction mechanism, thus forming new compounds through a coupling process that is similar to polymerization. This results in the creation of a wide variety of surface active compounds in the recycled cleaner/ozone process.
After repeated exposure of recycled cleaning solutions to limited amounts of ozone, new surfactants begin forming that are amphoteric (soluble in acids and bases) with alcohol, glycol, and carboxylic acid functional groups, all on the backbone of the hydrocarbon.
These surfactants variably exhibit high solubility’s in water, the ability to chelate and sequester metal ions, and can increase the cleaner’s ability and capacity to emulsify and solubilize hydrophobic contaminants.
The concentration (C in mg/l) of dissolved ozone multiplied by the time (T in minutes) of contact between the dissolved ozone and the contaminants in the water provides a ‘CT value’. This value is used as an index to the effectiveness of the disinfection process. Guidelines developed by the US EPA for applications such as drinking water, and OSHA for ozone safety in indoor environments, is generally accepted. Ozone disinfection systems achieve adequate disinfection with a CT of 1.6 or greater. Eg. A dissolved ozone value of 0.4 mg/l in contact with the water for 4 minutes provides a Ct value of 0.04 x 4 = 1.6.
Adequate disinfection may not occur when:
The quantity of ozone gas injected into the water is too low to reach the proper CT value.
The concentration of applied ozone is too low to achieve the proper CT value.
The water temperature is too high (above 50 degrees C) causing rapid decomposition of ozone.
The microbiological and/or organic content of the water is too high for the available ozone.
ADVANTAGES OF OZONE IN THE LAUNDRY
- Ozone is a very powerful oxidizing, cleaning and bleaching agent.
- Shorter washing, rinsing and drying cycles result in significant energy and water/sewer savings.
- Ozone washes best in cold water or very low temperature.
- Labour savings are estimated at 20%.
- Less stress on fabrics resulting in reduced linen replacement rate.
- Improves production due to reduced machine operating time.
- Kills all pathogenic bacteria and inactivates viruses and other micro-organisms.
- More sanitary than traditional methods.
- No residue on laundry.
- Laundry has less moisture after washing and is whiter, fresher, softer and fluffier.
- Ozone enhances both chemicals and soil removal.
- Ozone is generated “on site”.
- Ozone is totally environmentally friendly as it is biodegradable and leaves no residue. Ozone reverts back to oxygen on completion of its function.
The systems have been fully tested and are fully guaranteed
THE OZONEWASH SYSTEM
The BM Laundry System Mark 3 is a culmination of years of experimentation and field experience.
Whilst conventional systems utilize complicated ozone absorption systems, venturis, oxygen concentrators, ozone off gas valves and destruct heaters, solenoid valves and ORP monitors our system has done away with all this and utilizes a simple, safe, sure method of treating laundry with ozone, without losing any of the benefits, yet costing at least 80% less than any of its competitors.
The system consists of a low NOX ozone generation system plus magnetic air pumps.
The system can be easily fitted to both new and existing washing machines of any size.
All ozone generators have CE and TUV approval.
CT values which are the norm for calculating ozone dosages are also well above what is required for total sanitization.
ADVANTAGES OF THE OZONEWASH OVER OTHER O3 SYSTEMS
- Smaller footprint
- No elaborate tanks, venturis, pumps, oxygen bottles/concentrators etc.
- Can be fitted inside any new machine
- Unit can be retro fitted to existing machines easily.
- Patented technology
- Generators 10% of the size of existing systems
- 80% more price competitive
- Easier to install
- Easier to maintain
- System is modular
- Energy saving
- Total sanitization
- Maintains the machine mould and fungi free.
- Faster turnaround
- Chemical savings
- Environmentally friendly
- No replacement of elements
- Linen savings
- Labour savings
- Machines last longer
SYSTEM OPERATION
LAUNDRY
It is well established that ozone enhances the laundry process. Historically, ozone laundry systems dissolve the ozone directly into the water either in the machine or in water prior to it being introduced into the machine via venturi’s, bubble diffusers and absorbing towers.
Ozone is usually measured by ORP meters (which only give an estimation of ozone dissolved with readings of approx 950, which in turn is about 0.5-1 mg/ litre). Ozone is then introduced into the washing cycle during pre-wash, main wash and rinse cycles.
The Ozonewash System utilizes a different method of introducing ozone. The ozone is not dissolved into the water but a known quantity of gas is introduced directly into the washing cavity, allowing ozone to be absorbed into the water during pre-wash, main wash and rinse cycles via mechanical movement of the machine.
A further step is included whereby after the final rinse, a cycle is added to the washing process for 5 minutes. During this cycle ozone is introduced into the machine using only the mechanical action – no water. Ozone – being 2.5 times heavier than air settles on all the linen which contains only approximately 0.6 litres of water per kg. Full sanitization then takes place using less ozone.
What must be noted, that to calculate the amount of ozone required in traditional ozone washing processes, one would have to take into consideration the maximum amount of water the machine requires at one of its wash cycles – i.e. rinse normally takes 6 litres of water per Kg of washing. The water would also have to be introduced within a minimum of 5 minutes per cycle requiring water. Therefore one would have to calculate 6 litres water per Kg of washing.
1 kg x 6 litres x 60 mins ÷ 5 = 72 litres.
With the Ozonewash system – in theory, the amount of ozone required per litre of water to retain CT values would be 0.6 litres.
CALCULATIONS
Normal System Ozone Requirements:
Say: 20 Kg washing machine @ 6 litres/Kg
Therefore: 20 Kgs x 6 litres x 12 = 1440 litres to ozonate
Design for 1.44 grams/hour @ 1 ppm
Biozonewash System Ozone Requirements:
Say: 20 Kg washing machine @ 0.6 litres/Kg
Therefore: 20 Kgs x 0.6 litres = 32 litres to ozonate
Design for 250 mg ozone /hour